New more full-bodied Côtes de Provence rosé

Le Grand Cros is tapping into the growing demand for more full-bodied, food-friendly rosé with cuvée Aurélia 2015.

Julian Faulkner's new cuvée Aurélia is a Côtes de Provence rosé designed to offer a fuller-bodied take on the region's classically light rosé. Only 6,000 bottles have been produced, 600 of which are available to the UK market through Asset Wines.

Julian states: "I want to push the boundaries of what one can expect from a rosé and from Provence, so that we may consider certain rosés fine wines."

Predominantly made from Mourvèdre, with small amounts of Grenache and Syrah, Aurélia is a full-bodied rosé with creaminess and acidic tension that lend it ageing potential and set it apart from the lighter styles.

Gilles Corre of Asset Wines comments: "Sales are going really well. Consumers are really starting to understand the complexity of rosé and seek something richer; something that can even replace a light red."

Julian adds: "2015 was the ideal vintage for Mourvèdre; hence I decided to create this wine. The cuvée will be made according to vintage, so depending on how 2016 turns out, maybe we will recreate Aurélia, or perhaps we will create a different cuvée with the varietals that thrive in this vintage."

The grapes were hand harvested at 50hl per ha in the first week of October and each parcel was vinified separately thereafter, each undergoing a short period of skin contact at 15°C. The grapes were then pressed with early separation of the pressed must, with tight cold static must settling, and temperature controlled fermentation at 16-17°C followed. The wine was then racked and malolactic fermentation was blocked.

The wine is named after Julian's first daughter, born during the Mourvèdre harvest. The label design has two thumbprints crossing to form a heart; symbolic of her birth.

20 July 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor